I’m on my deck under the neighbour’s oak tree. I have a difficult relationship with this tree. When I moved in in the fall, I raked its leaves. Everyday I sweep its dropping off my deck. Even as I sit here, it every now & then threatens me with an acorn travelling at high speed.

But today, with the temperature headed to 32 degrees, I sit comfortably in its shade, listening to birds that I can’t see but know are in its branches. Today, I love this tree. #smallstories

I decided to look into the Xprize competition (the reason why is a story for another day), but the site says about one of the board members: "He is also the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Singularity University" which makes me think that the robots really are already in charge having a wonderful time mocking us.

Sitting at the airport. Two weeks of doctoral intensive behind me. Now thinking about the road ahead to candidacy. Just a warning, my supervisor suggests that it include all of you... (suggestions welcome on next steps ;))

I returned my bike and headed to the university on foot, knowing only the general direction. Suddenly, I saw an outcropping of art on the corner of this car-friendly street. I stopped, spoke with the artist and bought a painting. I then asked if I was still headed in the right direction. "Yes," he said, "Up the hill and turn right. The further you walk, the closer there will be."

We walked up to the meadow, a wide open space surrounded by the Rockies, huge peaks surrounding us. We are so small, I thought. The I remembered to look down, the way my grandmother taught me to in the early summer before the showy meadow flowers have bloomed. And there they were the tiny flowers, intricate and beautiful. Quietly being. #smallstories

I’m outside waiting for my ride to pick me up. Across the street a car is waiting for their ridee. Noticing how the act of sharing creates space to pause and enjoy the sun and the shade and the birds. #smallstories

You wake some mornings to this symphony, right? To invisible creatures talking to the world. To music among the trees. Maybe if you pause quiet enough, if you listen deep enough, if you contemplate the possibilities of conversation, you might finally hear beyond the nothing. Resist the noise, your heart tells you, while your brain seems only intent on making it all make sense. Let those birds sing. Let the squirrels chatter. Be observant in a quiet place. Write your own #smallstories

Follow friends and discover new ones. Publish anything you want: links, pictures, text, video. This server is run by the main developers of the Mastodon project. Everyone is welcome as long as you follow our code of conduct!